Walkingstick and KTFA Members "News and Views" 5-2-18

5/2/2018




Walkingstick: .... SNIPPET

18. Simplify procedures to allocate foreign exchange. While, over the past years, authorities
have introduced more documentation requirements for access to the CBI foreign exchange windowmentioning concerns about anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), these measures have generated sizable parallel market premium that has fueled speculative activity among banks and money exchange operators

(¶9). Simplifying these procedures,while properly implementing the AML/CFT standards, and gradually eliminating the remaining exchange restriction to move towards acceptance of the obligations under Article VIII of the IMF’s

Articles of Agreement would help reduce the spread between the official and parallel market
exchange rates.

http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2017/08/09/Iraq-2017-Article-IV-Consultation-and-Second-Review-under-the-Three-Year-Stand-by-45174
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Greenclan: THANK YOU WS...............well since it appears the spread is under control......they must have eliminated the remaining exhange restrictions.....and therefore accepted article 8 obligations. ARE WE THERE YET? i think so greenclan

Clare: I agree greenclan, Frank emphasized IHO, on Monday's CC, that the Visa MOU, wouldn't have been signed without some proof....Also, with Vietnam, Art 8 announcement came a few months after the fact. Great articles showing today.. the word "international" being used just like Frank highlighted on Monday's CC! IMO

MilitiaMan: So what we have been witnessing is the closure since it was at 2 pips, now it is less and going to cease as we know it. Sands of the hour glass is in motion, so to speak.. Powerful as it comes. imo Thanks! ~ MM

Walkingstick: You're welcome.. all….ftti... Snippet, post... 543 .. Pulled, from Iraq's Article IV Consultation with the IMF

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JTKtheDJ: Sources say some people have already exchanged internationally. That this is already done and Iraq just has to open for business tomorrow IMO. With that said, IMO, the receiver has one hand on the ball and is attempting to keep his feet in bounds in order to make the catch. And with all scoring plays, it must be reviewed by the officials before it is confirmed. What a game!!!! This is the Super Bowl of all Super Bowls!

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Don961: Poll: 60 percent of citizens support second term for Abbadi

5/1/2018 10:19:42 AM

BAGHDAD - A poll conducted by an Iraqi polling center shows that 60 percent of citizens support a second term for Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.

According to the poll, the popularity of Abadi is the highest, especially in the provinces of Nineveh, Salah al-Din and Anbar.

According to the poll, even in the Kurdistan region, Abadi enjoys popularity of more than 50 percent. link

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Salamon69: Not sure if anyone has posted about what is on the CBI this morning.

Posting commemorative bank notes of Poland showing 100, 20, and coins

A picture is worth a thousand words. It is just such a bizarre thing to be posting currency of another country on your CBI website if you it was not done for a reason and a very clear purpose.........

Seems they are in a very discreet way IRAQ is saying we are ready to pull the trigger!
Samson: I had the exact same thoughts

I have the CBI website as my home page on my computer so I can see if any changes at any given moment. Always first thing I check is the CBI website as it is ground ZERO where we will see HISTORY made soon and very soon.....

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Don961: Cabinet: We are transforming the financial deal into electronic payment

5/1/2018 7:36:15 AM

The Secretary of the Economic and Financial Committee of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, Qusay Abadi, said Tuesday, May 1, 2018, that the Secretariat is working to transform the financial deal to electronic payment and the match with developed countries.

Abadi said in a press conference held in Baghdad, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the Rafidain Bank, followed by "obsolete", that "the policy followed by the Council of Ministers is the implementation of programs followed by Rafidain Bank," adding that "the Secretariat is working to turn the deal into electronic payment And keeping pace with developed countries. "

He added that "the system operated by the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers is to develop the financial system and banking." link
TMR: Wow! So many articles speaking past tense; completed, implemented, agreed, settled! AND INTERNATIONAL!!

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Don961: Iraq Stock Exchange confirms its success in public and private sector partnership

May 1, 2018 6:00 pm

Baghdad / Follow-up Zawra:

The Iraqi Stock Exchange affirmed its success in the public-private partnership and the mechanism of transition to a market economy. He pointed out that during his participation in the third annual conference of securities markets, he discussed the possibility of benefiting from the experiences of Arab stock exchanges.

"The market has played a role in the success of the partnership between the public and private sectors and the mechanism of transition to a market economy through partnership in the establishment of joint stock companies and also through the enactment of a law encouraging the issuance of modern financial instruments and labor," said Taha Ahmed Abdulsalam, To issue short sale instructions ".

"The market also discussed the possibility of benefiting from the expertise of the Arab stock exchanges during its participation in the third annual conference of securities markets," he added, pointing out that the market participated in a paper focused on the plans of the Iraqi market to attract investment and the challenges of activity.

He explained that "it was agreed at the conference with the Secretary General of the Union of Arab bodies to cooperate in the field of training and discuss the rules and regulations prevailing in the Arab markets." The Foundation will have a distinctive role in the possibility of linking information and data with the Agency, In using modern trading applications and attracting investment. "

It is noteworthy that the Iraqi market for securities used electronic trading systems and central depository since 2009, and seeks to launch an online trading system for investors, and organizes five trading sessions weekly from Sunday to Thursday, and included 101 Iraqi shareholding companies representing the sectors of banking, telecommunications, industry, agriculture, insurance, financial investment and tourism And hotels. link

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Samson: US announcement about the new role of the coalition in Iraq
2018/5/1 23:57
Issued an official statement from the US Embassy in Baghdad on the latest functions of the international coalition against Da'ash in Iraq. "At a ceremony held in Baghdad on April 30, the tasks of the Joint Task Force's ground force were terminated, marking the end of major combat operations against Da'ash in Iraq and the announcement of a change in coalition responsibilities to focus on providing Support and training for Iraqi security forces. "

He added that "the ceremony included the special tradition (Balff flag) where the flag was lowered for the unit and announce the end of its mission."

In September 2014, the United States formed an international coalition of some 70 countries to support and support Iraq in its war against the Da'sh, which occupied three provinces after the fall of Mosul in June of the same year. More than 5,200 US troops are deployed as trainers and advisers deployed in military bases in the country.

The Iraqi government announced on the ninth of December last year the final victory on the call and carry out operations to clean up and control the sleeper cells. Reconstruction of liberated cities destroyed by military buildup and military operations remains the most important challenge facing the government. LINK